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Robert Riggs

Robert Riggs is a Peabody Award-winning investigative reporter and content entrepreneur. He has received three coveted Alfred I. duPont Columbia University Journalism Awards for Investigative Reporting. The Peabody and duPont are respectively considered the broadcast TV equivalent of the Oscar and the Pulitzer.

Texas A&M University named Robert an Outstanding Alumnus from the College of Architecture in recognition of his journalistic accomplishments. It is a distinction received by fewer than 1% of the College’s graduates. 
Riggs is the co-host and creator of the True Crime Reporter™ Podcast, and the SWAT Brothers Podcast.

Riggs’ stories impacted millions of people during thousands of hours of reporting on television and in online media.  During some assignments, his reporting literally occurred under fire while he was embedded with the U.S. Army during the invasion of Iraq.

Among the three Alfred I. duPont Columbia Journalism Awards for Investigative Reporting, judges described his Gulf War report about the censorship of religious services for U.S. soldiers, “as the story every other news organization missed.”

Riggs journalistic ethos is to illuminate important public issues, right wrongs, speak truth to power, change flawed public policy, and in some cases save people from harm by violent criminals. Serial killers were caught and terrorist networks exposed. Corrupt public officials did time in federal prison behind his reporting.

Riggs is a member of the FBI’s North Texas Chapter of InfraGard which was formed in response to the 9/11 terror attacks. He is a longtime member of the Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE). It is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving investigative reporting around the world.

Journalism Experience

During his broadcast news career, Riggs covered the White House, Capitol Hill, The Pentagon, New York State Legislature, and the Texas Legislature. 

He reported from the “eye of the storm” at the scene breaking news stories of historical proportions including the mass murder at a Luby’s Cafeteria in Texas, the 51-day Branch Davidian siege in Waco, the Oklahoma City bombing, the siege by Republic of Texas separatists, and three wars.

His reports appeared on WFAA-TV Channel 8 News, KTVT-TV CBS-11, CBS Evening News, CBS 60 Minutes, ABC Nightline, CNN, and ESPN.

Robert Riggs Reports from the scene of the Oklahoma City Bombing at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995
Robert Riggs Reports from the scene of the Oklahoma City Bombing at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995
Reporter Robert Riggs and Oprah Winfrey Celebrate Together After Receiving George Peabody Awards at the 1995 Ceremony at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City
Reporter Robert Riggs and Oprah Winfrey Celebrate Together After Receiving George Peabody Awards at the 1995 Ceremony at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City

Journalism Awards

Riggs’ peers in journalism recognized him as one of the nation’s premier investigative reporters. He received the coveted George Foster Peabody Award for Investigative Reporting and three Alfred I. duPont Columbia University Journalism Awards for Investigative Reporting.

Alfred I. duPont Columbia University Journalism Award presented to Robert Riggs in 1997 for Investigative Reporting.

Dallas Crime Commission Awards First Ever “Excellence in Crime Reporting Award” to Robert Riggs 

United States Attorney Paul Coggins and FBI Agent Tase Bailey (Retd.) present Robert Riggs with the Dallas Crime Commission's Excellence in Reporting Award. Reporter Robert Riggs was recognized for his investigative series on check fraud, identify theft, and black tar heroin trafficking that killed more than two dozen teenagers in Plano, Texas.
United States Attorney Paul Coggins and FBI Agent Tase Bailey (Retd.) present Robert Riggs with the Dallas Crime Commission’s Excellence in Reporting Award
Certificate of Appreciation for Reporter Robert Riggs from Dallas Police Department Chief Ben Click on August 5, 1996 For Uncovering A Bribery Scandal in the Texas Parole Board

The Dallas Crime Commission awarded its first-ever “Excellence in Crime Reporting Award” to Riggs in 1999. His series of reports uncovered how black tar heroin traffickers from Mexico preyed on teenagers in Plano, Texas. Dozens of teens suffered deadly overdoses unaware that the “Chiva” they were taking was heroin.

American Bar Association Awards Silver Gavel Award To Robert Riggs

ABA Silver Gavel Awarded To Robert Riggs For His Investigative Series "Free To Kill" - Texas Parole Board Releases Serial Killer To Kill Again
ABA Silver Gavel Awarded To Robert Riggs For His Investigative Series “Free To Kill” – Texas Parole Board Releases Serial Killer To Kill Again

The American Bar Association awarded Riggs its Silver Gavel award in 1994 for his investigative series Free To Kill. He uncovered systemic corruption inside the Texas parole and prison systems. The investigation spanned more than three years and exposed allegations that Kenneth McDuff, a notorious serial killer, had paid bribes to receive early parole. Dubbed a “killing machine”, McDuff left a trail of bodies after his release from prison. He became the first person in Texas history to receive three death penalty convictions for murder.

Riggs discovered that McDuff’s release was just the tip of the iceberg. Dozens of violent criminals were released under a corrupt system. They spread a wave of terror across Texas in the 1990’s.

US Marshal Mike McNamara (L) Reporter Robert Riggs (C) US Marshal Parnell McNamara (R) Huntsville Walls Unit of the Texas Prison System at the Execution of Serial Killer Kenneth Allen McDuff on November 17, 1998
US Marshal Mike McNamara (L) Reporter Robert Riggs (C) US Marshal Parnell McNamara (R) Huntsville Walls Unit of the Texas Prison System at the Execution of Serial Killer Kenneth Allen McDuff on November 17, 1998
Senator Ted Lyon Chairman of the Texas Criminal Justice Committee Thanks Reporter Robert Riggs for his Investigation of the Texas Parole System
Senator Ted Lyon Chairman of the Texas Criminal Justice Committee Thanks Reporter Robert Riggs for his Investigation of the Texas Parole System

Free To Kill — An Investigation Into The Parole of Serial Killer Kenneth McDuff  by Robert Riggs

Riggs’ investigative reports about the McDuff parole scandal prompted the federal prosecution of top state officials and the first overhaul of the Texas penal code in twenty-years.  The legislature enacted a mandatory life sentence for violent offenders named the “McDuff Law”. 

The definitive book on serial killer Kenneth McDuff published in the wake of Robert Riggs' corruption investigation on how McDuff received early parole from the Texas Prison System.
The definitive book on serial killer Kenneth McDuff published in the wake of Robert Riggs’ corruption investigation on how McDuff received early parole from the Texas Prison System.
Gary Lavergne the author of Bad Boy from Rosebud praises Robert Riggs for his groundbreaking investigation into how serial killer Kenneth McDuff received parole from the Texas prison system along with dozens of other violent criminals.
Gary Lavergne the author of Bad Boy from Rosebud praises Robert Riggs for his groundbreaking investigation into how serial killer Kenneth McDuff received parole from the Texas prison system along with dozens of other violent criminals.

Investigator for Congressman Wright Patman

Robert Riggs worked as an Investigator for Congressman Wright Patman when attempt to get to the bottom of what became known as the Watergate Scandal and later prompted President Richard M. Nixon to resign or face impeachment. October 13, 1972.
Congressman Wright Patman featured in this Washington Post story on the first Congressional attempt to get to the bottom of what became known as the Watergate Scandal. The hearing was the beginning of the end for President Richard M. Nixon who resigned rather than face impeachment. Published October 13, 1972.

Prior to his journalism career, Riggs served as an investigator for the late Congressman Wright Patman of Texas.  Representative Patman, as Chairman of the House Banking Committee, attempted to launch the first congressional investigation into the Watergate Scandal.

Patman’s Administrative Assistant, Baron I. Shacklette, a legendary investigator on Capitol Hill, helped Riggs hone investigative skills.  

Baron Shacklette a Legendary House Investigator For Congressman Wright Patman & Mentor To Robert Riggs Pictured in 1950.
Baron Shacklette a Legendary House Investigator For Congressman Wright Patman Pictured in 1950.

Riggs served as the Chief Investigator for the Joint Committee on Defense Production. The Committee’s investigations picked up trails of corruption where the Watergate investigation left off.  While working for the Committee, Riggs reported to its Joint Chairmen, Congressman Patman and Senator William Proxmire.

The Committee’s investigation of a defense contractor’s bribery scheme contributed to the passage of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Riggs held a Top Secret security clearance from the Department of Defense and received training from both the GAO and U.S. Army.

Robert Riggs Receives Texas A&M University Outstanding Alumnus Award From The College of ArchitectureApril 6, 2001
Dean Tom Regan Presents Robert Riggs with the Outstanding Alumnus Award from Texas A&M University’s College of Architecture April 6, 2001

Texas A&M University Outstanding Alumnus Award Robert Riggs

Texas A&M University honored Riggs as an Outstanding Alumnus from the College of Architecture in 2001.  The College recognized his achievements in journalism.

Riggs was the first non-practicing architecture graduate to receive the award in its 100-year history.

Watch my YouTube Channel to view more than 200 of my news reports.

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